The recent statement issued by the co-chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference was directed at the comments and actions taken by the JVP and others criticizing the role of Norway and the peace process in general. It did not address the issue of the LTTE, US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jeffrey Lunstead said in a reply to the JVP’General Secretary’s December 16 letter.

Ambassador said that "the United States has made two points repeatedly: (1) LTTE behavior, such as assassinations of political opponents, conscription of children, etc., is unacceptable and must change. (2) The LTTE must show flexibility and realism if the peace negotiations are to resume and succeed."

"This position remains unchanged, and it is why the LTTE remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in the United States," the reply said.

Full text of US Ambassador’s letter: Dear Mr. Silva,

I am writing in reply to your letter of December 16 addressed to me and also to Ambassadors Susan Blankhart and Akio Suda, concerning the statement which we issued on December 15. I write, however, only on my own behalf.

Our statement was directed at the comments and actions taken by the JVP and others criticizing the role of Norway and the peace process in general. It therefore did not address the issue of the LTTE. That should not be taken, as your letter implies, as ignoring or implying approval of LTTE behavior. Far from it. I am sure you are aware that the United States has made two points repeatedly:

(1) LTTE behavior, such as assassinations of political opponents, conscription of children, etc., is unacceptable and must change.

(2) The LTTE must show flexibility and realism if the peace negotiations are to resume and succeed.

This position remains unchanged, and it is why the LTTE remains designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in the United States. The U.S. has also publicly noted numerous times that President Kumaratunga has demonstrated her commitment to peace and flexibility in her approach to the negotiations.

I am glad to hear that the JVP is committed to a peaceful solution to the ethnic issue. That is why we are surprised and dismayed when the JVP and others make statements such as that Norway secretly approves of LTTE terrorist activities, or that Norway and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission are trying to help the LTTE achieve its goals. Such statements, in our view, not only unfairly cast aspersions on Norway’s motives and activities, but by clear implication undermine the entire peace process. Words have consequences. This type of rhetoric risks stirring up emotions with unknown consequences.

I hope this clarifies the position of the United States, and I would be happy to discuss it further.